Synergistic herbicidal composition and use thereof

ABSTRACT

A herbicidal composition is provided, the composition comprising: (A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione); and (B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate (mesosulfuron-methyl). A method of controlling undesirable plant growth at a locus comprises applying to the locus herbicidally effective amounts of both (A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione); and (B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate (mesosulfuron-methyl).

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a synergistic herbicidal composition containing mesotrione and mesosulfuron-methyl, each in particular crystal modifications. The composition finds use in controlling the growth of undesirable plant, particularly in crops, including using the aforementioned composition.

2. Description of Related Art

The protection of crops from undesirable plant, which inhibits crop growth, is a constantly recurring problem in agriculture. To solve this problem, researchers are trying to produce an extensive variety of chemicals and chemical formulations effective in the control of such undesirable growth. Chemical herbicides of many types have been disclosed in the literature and a large number are in commercial use.

Some herbicidal active ingredients have been shown to be more effective when applied in combination rather than applied individually, this effect being referred to as “synergism.” According to Herbicide Handbook of the Weed Science Society of America, Seventh Edition, 1994, page 318, “synergism” is an interaction of two or more factors such that the effect when combined is greater than the predicted effect based on the response to each factor applied separately.

The compound 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione has the common name “mesotrione”. Mesotrione is a substance that can form polymorph crystals. Two different forms, crystalline modifications I and II, of mesotrione are described in WO2006021743, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Mesotrione is active as a herbicide and is now commercially available in a range of formulations for controlling the growth of undesirable plant.

The compound methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate, having the common name “mesosulfuron-methyl”, is a member of the sulfonylurea group of chemicals. Mesosulfuron-methyl is a potent herbicide having high selectivity, high efficiency, low toxicity and other desirable attributes. It is used post-emergence on crops, such as wheat and cereals, against a variety of annual and perennial grasses and broadleaved weeds. It is rather less toxic towards algae and is of generally low toxicity towards most wildlife.

The commercially available mesosulfuron-methyl, which is usually manufactured by the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,315, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes, is present in an amorphous state.

It has been found that mesosulfuron-methyl in the amorphous state is highly unstable. It will generally undergo significant hydrolysis when dissolved or dispersed in water. Furthermore, hydrolysis can occur during storage, particularly where the compound is exposed to moisture. It has been found that a crystalline form of mesosulfuron-methyl, termed hereinafter “crystalline modification I”, has an improved stability in formulations (U.S. Ser. No. 14/957,768, Attorney Docket No. 727440-01040, filed on even date herewith, and incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl of the invention exhibits at least 3 of the following reflexes as 20 values in an X-ray powder diffractogram recorded using Cu-Kα radiation at 25° C.:

2θ=5.41±0.2  (1)

2θ=10.26±0.2  (2)

2θ=10.88±0.2  (3)

2θ=12.14±0.2  (4)

2θ=16.38±0.2  (5)

2θ=18.87±0.2  (6)

2θ=19.47±0.2  (7)

2θ=20.82±0.2  (8)

2θ=21.88±0.2  (9)

2θ=22.55±0.2  (10)

2θ=22.96±0.2  (11)

2θ=23.22±0.2  (12)

2θ=24.10±0.2  (13)

2θ=24.50±0.2  (14)

2θ=26.35±0.2  (15)

SUMMARY

It has been surprisingly found that combining the crystalline modification I of mesotrione with the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl provides a composition having a synergistic activity, that is, an increased herbicidal activity, compared with the activity expected from the activity of the two components when applied individually.

The XRD diffraction data for mesotrione crystal form I given by WO 2006/021743 are given below, although some peak shifting is possible.

Peak Position Peak Position (2-Theta) (d spacing) 8.52 10.34 17.08 5.18 17.43 5.08 18.74 4.73 19.04 4.66 19.31 4.59 19.52 4.54 21.15 4.20 25.73 3.46 28.66 3.11

Alternatively, the crystalline modification I mesotrione may have a slightly shifted XRD spectrum:

Peak Position Peak Position (2-Theta) (d spacing) 8.44 10.47 17.35 5.11 17.55 5.05 18.67 4.75 18.98 4.68 19.24 4.61 19.45 4.56 21.06 4.22 25.64 3.47 28.55 3.13

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a herbicidal composition comprising:

(A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione); and

(B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate (mesosulfuron-methyl).

The composition of an embodiment of the invention is of particular use for controlling the growth of undesirable plant.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of controlling the growth of undesirable plant comprising applying to the plant or to the locus thereof a herbicidally effective amount of the herbicidal composition of the first aspect of the present invention.

In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of the herbicidal composition of the first aspect of the invention in control of undesirable plant growth at a locus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an infrared (IR) spectrograph of crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an X-ray powder diffractogram (XRD) of crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3. is a Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) spectrum of crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an X-ray powder diffractogram of amorphous mesosulfuron-methyl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The references to the crystalline modifications I and II of mesotrione as used herein, refer to the crystalline modification of mesotrione disclosed in WO2006/021743, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, where they are described as Form I and Form II, respectively.

The term “herbicide” as used herein, refers to a compound that controls the growth of plants.

The term “herbicidally effective amount” as used herein, refers to the quantity of such a compound or combination of such compounds that is capable of producing a controlling effect on the growth of plants. The controlling effects include all deviation from the natural development of the target plants, for example killing, retardation of one or more aspects of the development and growth of the plant, leaf burn, albinism, dwarfing and the like.

The term “plants” refers to all physical parts of a plant, including shoots, leaves, needles, stalks, stems, fruit bodies, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers and rhizomes.

The term “locus” refers to the place on which the plants are growing, the place on which the plant propagation materials of the plants are sown or the place on which the plant propagation materials of the plants will be sown.

“At least one” designates a number of the respective compounds or components of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more, preferably 1, 2, or 3.

The synergistic herbicidal composition, the method and use of the present invention are suitable for controlling undesirable plant growth in a range of crops, including: cereals, for example wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, rice, sorghum, triticale and related crops; fruit, such as pome fruit, stone fruit and soft fruit, such as apples, pears, plums, peaches, pistachio, almonds, cherries, and berries, for example grape, banana, strawberries, bushberry, cranberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries; leguminous plants, for example beans, lentils, peas, and soybeans; oil plants, for example oilseed rape, mustard and sunflowers; cucurbitaceae, for example cantaloupe, marrows, cucumbers, melons, pumpkin, squash and watermelon; citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit and mandarins; and vegetables, for example spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, paprika, garlic and leeks; coffee; sugarcane; hops; tree nuts; as well as ornamentals, for example flowers, such as roses, shrubs, broad-leaved trees and evergreens, such as conifers. Preferably, the composition described herein is used to treat cereals, fruits and vegetables. More preferably, the composition described herein is used to treat wheat, corn, sorghum, asparagus, blueberries and cranberries.

The control of undesirable plant growth in such crops may be achieved by applying to the locus (A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione), which is identified as Form I in WO 2006/021743 and (B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate (mesosulfuron-methyl) in suitable amounts.

The active compounds (A) and (B) may be applied to the locus together or separately. If applied separately, active compounds (A) and (B) may be applied at the same time and/or consecutively. The control may comprise applying to the undesirable plant or the locus thereof a herbicidally effective amount of the herbicidal composition.

It has been surprisingly found that a combination of (A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione) and (B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate (mesosulfuron-methyl) exhibits a synergistic action in the control of many weeds, particularly, but not limit to, broadleaved weeds, grasses and sedges. For example, weeds treatable according to an embodiment of the invention include:

black mustard, blue/purple mustard, broadleaf dock, bur buttercup, bushy wallflower, Carolina geranium, Centella, Cinquefoil, clasping pepperwee, Coast fiddleneck, common buckwheat, Common Mallow, common radish, conical catchfly, corn chamomile, corn spurry, Creeping Oxalis, Creeping Speedwell, cress, Dichondra, false chamomile, field chickweed, field pennycress, fixweed, groundsel, London rocket, marshelder, mayweed chamomile, miners lettuce, narrowleaf lambsquarters, nightflowering catchfly, Pennsylvania smartweed, pigweed, pineappleweed, plains coreopsis, prickly lettuce, redmaids, Russian thistle, scentless chamomile, smallflower buttercup, smartweed, snow speedweed, sticky chickweed, stinking mayweed/dogfennel, swinecress, tansymustard, tarweed fiddleneck, tumble, volunteer lentils, volunteer peas, volunteer sunflower, waterpod, wild chamomile, wild garlic, wild radish, Indian Mallow (Abutilon incana); Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti); Hophornbeam Copperleaf (Acalypha ostryaefolia); Virginia Copperleaf (Acalypha virginica); Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium); Alligatorweed (Alternantha philoxeroides); Khakiweed (Alternanthera pungens); Pigweed, Tumble (Amaranthus albus); Pigweed, Prostrate (Amaranthus blitoides); Livid Amaranth (Amaranthus blitum); Pigweed, smooth (Amaranthus hybridus); Amaranth, palmer (Amaranthus palmeri); Amaranth, powell (Amaranthus powellii); redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus); Common Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis); Spiny Pigweed (Amaranthus spinosus); Amaranth (Amaranthus spp); waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus); Huisachedaisy (Amblyolepis setigera); Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemiisifolia); common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia); Woollyleaf Bursage (Ambrosia grayi); Western Ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya); great ragweed (Ambrosia trifida); Toothcup (Ammannia latifolia); Spurred Anoda (Anoda cristata); Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum); Common Burdock (Arctium minus); Mexican-Poppy (Argemone mexicana); Annual Pricklepoppy (Argemone polyanthemos); Silversage (Artemesia ludoviciana); Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca); Antelope Horn (Asclepias viridis); Slender Aster (Aster gracilis); White Heath Aster (Aster pilosus); common orache (Atriplex patula); Wild oats (Avena spp.); Yellow Rocket (Barbarea vulgaris); Common Beggar-tick (Bidens alba); Mustard, wild (Brassica kaber); Brome grass (Bromus diandrus); Sprawling Horseweed (Calyptocarpus vialis); Smallseed Falseflax (Camelina microcarpa); Trumpetcreeper (Campsis radicans); Hemp (Cannabis sativa); Marijuana (Cannabis spp.); Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris); Bittercress, Smallflowered (Cardamine arviflora); Thistle, Musk (Carduus nutans); sedges (Carex spp.); Thistle, Distaff (Carthamus lanatus); Partridgepea (Cassia chamaecrista); SilverLeaf Cassia (Cassia phyllodinea); Thistle, Malta Star (Centaurea melitensis); Mouseear Chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum); False Nightshade (Chamaesaracha coronopus); Garden Spurge (Chamaesyce hirta); Hyssop Spurge (Chamaesyce hyssopifolia); Common Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album); Atriplex (Chenopodium orach); goosefoots (Chenopodium spp.); Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum); Chicory (Cichorium intybus); Waterhemlock (Cicuta maculata); Thistle, Tall (Cirsium altissimum); Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense); Thistle, Texas Purple (Cirsium texanum); Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare); Texas Bullnettle (Cnidoscolus texanus); Bastard Toadflax (Comandra umbellata); Dayflower (Commelina); Spreading Dayflower (Commelina diffusa); Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum); Bindweed, Field (Convolvulus arvensis); Bindweed, Texas (Convolvulus equitans); Bindweed, Hedge (Convolvulus sepium); Horseweed (marestail) (Conyza canadensis); Horseweed (Conyza canadensis); Rain Lily (Cooperia drummondii); Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria); Scrambledeggs (Corydalis curvisiliqua); Croton, Woolly (Croton capitatus); Croton, Tropic (Croton glandulosus); Croton, Texas (Croton texensis); Buffalo Gourd (Cucurbita foetidissima); Field Dodder (Cuscuta campestris); Marsh Parsley (Cyclospermum leptophylum); Nutsedge, yellow (Cyperus esculentus); Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium); Carrot, wild (Daucus carota); Wild Carrot (Daucus carota); Mustard, Tansy (Descurainia pinnata); Mustard, Pinnatetansy (Descurainia pinnate); Flixweed (Descurainia sophia); Illinois Bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis); Creeping Beggarweed (Desmodium incanum); Beggarweed (Desmodium spp.); Crabgrass, large (Digitaria sanguinalis); False Daisy or Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata); Cupid's Shaving Brush (Emilia sonchifolia); Englemann Daisy (Englemannia pinnatifida); Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus); Filaree, California or Redstem (Erodium cicutarium); Filaree, Texas or Storkbill (Erodium texanum); Garden Rocket (Eruca vesicaria ssp. sativa); Wright Eryngo (Eryngium heterophyllum); Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium); Bushy Wallflower (Erysimum repandum); White Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum); Dogfennel (Euphorbia capillifolium); Spurge, Toothed (Euphorbia dentata); Spurge, Leafy (Euphorbia esula); Spurge, Prostrate (Euphorbia humistrata); Snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata); Nodding Spurge (Euphorbia nutans); Ground Spurge (Euphorbia prostrata); Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella); Galinsoga (Galinsoga parviflora); Catchweed Bedstraw (Galium aparine); Scarlet Gaura (Gaura coccinea); Lizardtail Gaura (Gaura Parviflora); Wild Geranium (Geranium carolinanum); Red Hornedpoppy (Glaucium corniculatum); Wandering Cudweed (Gnaphalium pensylvanicum); Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia quarrosa); Annual Broomweed (Gutierrezia dracunculoides); Common Sneezeweed (Helenium amarum); Bitterweed, Brown (Helenium badium); Smallhead Sneezeweed (Helenium microcephalum); Common Sunflower (Helianthus annuus); Texas Blueweed (Helianthus ciliaris); Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus); Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris); Venice Mallow (Hibiscus trionum); Hogpotato (Hoffmanseggia densiflora); Barley grass (Hordeum leporinum); Japanese Hops (Humulus japonicus); Woollywhite, Yellow (Hymenopappus flavescens); Woollywhite, Chalkhill (Hymenopappus tenuifolius); Bitterweed (Hymenoxys odorata); Balsam Gourd (Ibervillea lindheimeri); Creeping Indigo (Indigofera spicata); Sweet-potato (Ipomea batatas); Morningglory, ivyleaf (Ipomoea hederacea); Morningglory, entireleaf (Ipomoea hederacea var. integriuscula); Morningglory, pitted (Ipomoea lacunosa); Morningglory, Bigroot (Ipomoea pandurata); Morningglory, Tall (Ipomoea purpurea); Morningglory, Sharppod (Ipomoea trichocarpa); toad rush (Juncus bufonlus); Canada Rush (Juncus Canadensis); Soft rush (Juncus effuses); slender rush (Juncus tenuis); Hairy Caltrop (Kallstroemia hirsutissina); Kochia (Kochia scoparia); Wild Lettuce (Lactuca serriola); Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule); Deadnettle, Purple (Lamium purpureum); Lantana (Lantana camara); Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum); Bladderpod (Lesquerella gracilis); Corn Gromwell (Lithospermum arvense); Annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum); Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.); Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); Long Fruited Primrose-Willow (Ludwigia octovalvis); Skeletonweed (Lygodesmia juncea); Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria); Tahoka Daisy (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia); Alkali Mallow (Malvella leprosa); Horehound (Marrubium vulgare); Bur Clover (Medicago hispida); Black Medic (Medicago lupulina); Blackfoot Daisy (Melampodium leucanthum); Yellow Sweetclover (Melilotus indica); Creeping Cucumber (Melothria pendula); annual mercury (Mercurialis annua); Climbing Hempweed (Mikania scandens); Carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata); Balsam-Apple (Momordica charantia); Purple Horsemint (Monarda citriodora); Mousetail (Myosurus minimus); Waterleaf (Nama hispidum); Scarlet Musk Flower (Nyctaginia capitata); Cutleaf Eveningprimose (Oenothera laciniata); Thistle, Scotch (Onopordum acanthium); Prickly Pear (Opuntia spp.); Creeping Woodsorrel (Oxalis comiculata); Florida Pellitory (Parietaria floridana); Santa Maria or Parthenium Pancake Weed (Parthenium hysterophorus); Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia); African Rue (Peganum Harmala); White Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis); Annual phalaris, paradoxa grass (Phalaris paradoxa); Match-Head (Phyla nodiflora); Chamberbitter (Phyllanthus urinaria); Cutleaf Groundcherry (Physalis angulata); Clammy Groundcherry (Physalis heterophylla); Purple Flower Groundcherry (Physalis lobata); Smooth Groundcherry (Physalis subglabrata); Common Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana); Bracted Plantain (Plantago aristata); Buckhorn Plantain (Plantago lanceolata); Blackseed Plantain (Plantago rugelii); Broadleaf Plantains (Plantago spp.); Saltmarsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata); Silversheath Knotweed (Polygonum argyrocoleon); Prostrate Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare); Wild Buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus); Smartweed, Pale (Polygonum lapathifolium); Smartweed, Pennsylvania (Polygonum pensylvanicum); knotweed (polygonum spp.); Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea); cinquefoil (Potentilla spp.); Sawtooth aster (Prionopsis ciliata); Devil's Claw (Proboscidea louisianica); Mock Bishop's Weed (Ptilimnium capillaceum); Kudzu (Pueraria spp.); Carolina False Dandelion (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus); Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus); creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens); Mustard, Turnip Weed (Rapistrum rugosum); Mexicanhat (Ratibida columnaris); Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra); Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora); Curly Dock (Rumex crispus); Lanceleaf Sage (Salvania reflexa); Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis); annual knawel (Scleranthus annuus); Butterweed (Senecio glabellus); Threadleaf Groundsel (Senecio longilobus); Riddell Groundsel (Senecio riddellii); Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris); Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia); Twinleaf Sennia (Senna roemeriana); Hemp Sesbania (Sesbania exaltata); Burcucumber (Sicyos angulatus); Southern Sida (Sida acuta); Prickly Sida (Sida spinosa); Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium); Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum); Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum); Thistle, Blessed Milk (Silybum marianum); wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis); Mustard, Tumble (Sisymbrium altissimum); Mustard, London Rocket (Sisymbrium irio); Greenbriar (Smilax spp.); Black Nightshade (Solanum americanum); Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense); Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium); Nightshade, black (Solanum nigrum); Nightshade, Eastern black (Solanum ptycanthum); Buffalobur (Solanum rostratium); Hairy Nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides); black nightshade (Solanum spp); Goldenrod (Solidago spp.); Spiny Sowthistle (Sonchus asper); Annual Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus); Bushy Buttonweed (Spermacoce assurgens); Orange Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea occidentalis); Common Chickweed (Stellaria media); Dandelion (Taraxacum); Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale); Germander (Teucrium cubense); Greenthread (Thelesperma filifolium); Pennycress, Field (Thlaspi arvense); Gray Tidestrom (Tidestromia lanuginosa); Hedge Parsley (Torilis arvensis); Western Salsify (Tragopogon dubuis); Horse purslane (Trianthema portulacastrum); Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris); Coat Buttons (Tridax procumbens); Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum); Broadleaf signalgrass (Urochloa platyphylla); Cowcockle (Vaccaria pyramidata); Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus); Dakota Verbena (Verbena bipinnatifida); Cowpen Daisy (Verbesina encelioides); Corn Speedwell (Veronica arvensis); Purslane Speedwell (Veronica peregrina); vetch (Vicia spp.); volunteer adzuki bean (Vigna angularis); cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium); Asiatic Hawksbeard (Youngia japonica).

Preferably, such weeds include Amaranthus spp., Capsella spp., Ipomoea spp., Sinapis spp., Solanum spp., Ambrosia spp., Carex spp., Juncus spp., Potentilla spp., Ranunculus spp., Vicia spp., Xanthium spp, Hordeum spp.

More preferably, such weeds include redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus); shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris); Morningglory, ivyleaf (Ipomoea hederacea); wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis); nightshade, black (Solanum nigrum); common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia); great ragweed (Ambrosia trifida); sedges (Carex spp.); toad rush (Juncus bufonlus); Canada Rush (Juncus Canadensis); soft rush (Juncus effuses); slender rush (Juncus tenuis); cinquefoil (Potentilla spp.); creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens); vetch (Vicia spp.); cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium), barley grass (Hordeum leporinum).

The total amount of (A) and (B) is from 5% to 99% by weight of the composition.

The crystalline modification I of mesotrione may be present in the synergistic herbicidal composition of the present invention in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from about 1% to about 90% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 1% to 80% by weight, more preferably from about 1% to about 70% by weight of the composition.

The crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl may be present in the synergistic herbicidal composition in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 90% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 1% to about 80% by weight, more preferably from about 1% to about 70% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 1% to about 60%.

(A) and (B) may be employed in the composition, method or use of the present invention in any suitable weight ratio. The weight ratio of the crystalline modification I of mesotrione and the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl in the composition may be in the range of from about 150:1 to about 1:50, preferably from about 100:1 to about 1:25, more preferably from about 50:1 to about 1:10, more preferably still from about 15:1 to about 1:3, preferably from about 15:1 to about 1:1, about 10:1 to about 1:1, most preferably 10:1.

In general, the application rate of the active ingredients depends on such factors as the type of weed, type of crop plant, soil type, season, climate, soil ecology and various other factors. The application rate of the composition for a given set of conditions can readily be determined by routine trials.

In general the composition or the method of the present invention can be applied at an application rate of from about 0.005 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha) to about 5.0 kg/ha of the total amount of active ingredient (A) and (B) being applied. Preferably, the application rate is from about 0.01 kg/ha to 3.0 kg/ha of the active ingredients.

Preferably, the application rate of the active ingredients is from 1 to 1000 g/ha of (A) the crystalline modification I of mesotrione and from 0.1 to 250 g/ha of (B) the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl. More preferably, the application rate of the active ingredients is from 1 to 250 g/ha of (A) the crystalline modification I of mesotrione and from 1 to 100 g/ha of (B) the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl. Even more preferably, the application rate of the active ingredients is from 1 to 200 g/ha of (A) the crystalline modification I of mesotrione and from 1 to 75 g/ha of (B) the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl.

As noted above, in an embodiment of the invention, (A) the crystalline modification I of mesotrione and (B) the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl may be applied either separately or combined as part of a two-part herbicidal system, such as the composition of the present invention. The composition is applied pre-planting, pre-emergence and/or post-emergence.

The compositions of an embodiment of this invention can be formulated in conventional manner, for example by mixing (A) the crystalline modification I of mesotrione and (B) the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl with appropriate auxiliaries. Suitable auxiliaries will depend upon such factors as the type of formulation and will be known to the person skilled in the art.

In particular, the composition may further comprise one or more auxiliaries selected from extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickening agents, solid adherents, fillers, wetting agents, dispersing agents, lubricants, anticaking agents and diluents. Such auxiliaries are known in the art and are commercially available. Their use in the formulation of the compositions of the present invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Suitable formulations for applying a combination of (A) and (B) include water-soluble concentrates (SL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions, oil in water (EW), micro-emulsions (ME), suspension concentrates (SC), oil-based suspension concentrates (OD), flowable suspensions (FS), water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), wettable powders (WP), water soluble powders (SP), granules (GR), encapsulated granules (CG), fine granules (FG), macrogranules (GG), aqueous suspo-emulsions (SE), capsule suspensions (CS) and microgranules (MG). Preferred formulations are suspension concentrates (SC), water-dispersible granules (WG) and water-soluble granules (SG).

The composition may comprise one or more inert fillers. Such inert fillers are known in the art and available commercially. Suitable fillers include, for example, natural ground minerals, such as kaolins, aluminas, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, and diatomaceous earth, or synthetic ground minerals, such as highly dispersed silicic acid, aluminum oxide, silicates, and calcium phosphates and calcium hydrogen phosphates. Suitable inert fillers for granules include, for example, crushed and fractionated natural minerals, such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, and dolomite, or synthetic granules of inorganic and organic ground materials, as well as granules of organic material, such as sawdust, coconut husks, corn cobs, and tobacco stalks, and mixtures thereof.

The composition may optionally include one or more surfactants which are preferably non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic in nature and surfactant mixtures which have good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties, depending upon the active compound/compounds being formulated. Suitable surfactants are known in the art and are commercially available.

Suitable anionic surfactants can be both so-called water-soluble soaps and water-soluble synthetic surface-active compounds. Soaps which may be used include the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or substituted or unsubstituted ammonium salts of higher fatty acid (C₁₀ to C₂₂), for example the sodium or potassium salt of oleic or stearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures.

The surfactant may comprise an emulsifier, dispersant or wetting agent of ionic or nonionic type. Examples of such agents include salts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulphonic acid, salts of phenylsulphonic or naphthalenesulphonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols, especially alkylphenols, sulphosuccinic ester salts, taurine derivatives, especially alkyltaurates, and phosphoric esters of polyethoxylated phenols or alcohols.

The presence of at least one surfactant is generally required when the active compound and/or the inert carrier and/or auxiliary/adjuvant are insoluble in water and the vehicle for the final application of the composition is water.

The composition may optionally further comprise one or more polymeric stabilizers. Suitable polymeric stabilizers that may be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins, polyacrylates, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethanes or polyamides. Suitable stabilizers are known in the art and commercially available.

The surfactants and polymeric stabilizers mentioned above are generally believed to impart stability to the composition, in turn allowing the composition to be formulated, stored, transported and applied.

Suitable anti-foaming agents for use in the compositions include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Suitable anti-foaming agents are known in the art and are available commercially. Particularly preferred antifoam agents are mixtures of polydimethylsiloxanes and perfluroalkylphosphonic acids, such as the silicone anti-foaming agents available from GE or Compton.

Suitable solvents for use in the compositions may be selected from all customary organic solvents which thoroughly dissolve the active compounds employed. Again, suitable organic solvents for (A) and (B) are known in the art. The following may be mentioned as being preferred: N-methyl pyrrolidone, N-octyl pyrrolidone, cyclohexyl-1-pyrrolidone; and a mixture of paraffinic, isoparaffinic, cycloparaffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons (available commercially as SOLVESSO™200). Suitable solvents are commercially available.

Suitable preservatives include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions of this type and again are well known in the art. Suitable examples that may be mentioned include PREVENTOL® (from Bayer AG) and PROXEL® (from Bayer AG).

The compositions may comprise an antioxidant. Suitable antioxidants are all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions, as is known in the art. Preference is given to butylated hydroxytoluene.

Suitable thickening agents for use in the compositions include all substances which can normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Examples include xanthan gum, PVOH, cellulose and its derivatives, clay hydrated silicates, magnesium aluminum silicates or a mixture thereof. Again, such thickening agents are known in the art and available commercially.

The compositions may further comprise one or more solid adherents. Such adherents are known in the art and available commercially. They include organic adhesives, including tackifiers, such as celluloses of substituted celluloses, natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules, or lattices, and inorganic adhesives such as gypsum, silica, or cement.

In addition, depending upon the formulation, the composition according to the invention may also comprise water.

The formulated composition may for example be applied in spray form, for example employing appropriate dilutions using a diluent, such as water.

In the method and use of an embodiment of the invention, the combination of the active ingredients can be applied to the locus where control is desired, such as to the leaves of plants and/or the surrounding soil, by a convenient method.

In the event, (A) and (B) are applied simultaneously in an embodiment of the invention, they may be applied as a composition containing (A) and (B), in which case (A) and (B) can be obtained from a separate formulation source and mixed together (known as a tank-mix, ready-to-apply, spray broth, or slurry), optionally with other pesticides, or (A) and (B) can be obtained as a single formulation mixture source (known as a pre-mix, concentrate, formulated compound (or product)), and optionally mixed together with other pesticides.

In a preferred embodiment, the method and use of the present invention employ a composition according to the present invention.

The compositions according to an embodiment of the invention are distinguished by the fact that they are especially well tolerated by plants being treated and are environmentally friendly.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments and examples thereof, the scope of the present invention is not limited only to those described embodiments. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, modifications and adaptations to the above-described invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, for illustrative purposes only, by way of the following examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1—Preparation of the Crystalline Modification I Mesotrione

The crystalline modification I of mesotrione was prepared according to the method as mentioned in WO2006021743.

Mesotrione enolate suspension was filtered to remove any excess solid enolate. 50 mL of the filtered solution was placed in a reaction flask and heated to 40° C. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 2.8 by adding 10% HCl over 20 minutes. The crystals were allowed to stir for 20 minutes before isolation by filtration. The crystals were then washed with water and sucked dry on the filter.

Example 2—Preparation of the Crystalline Modification II Mesotrione

The crystalline modification II of mesotrione was prepared according to the method as mentioned in WO2006021743.

Mesotrione crystals were stirred with water in a reaction flask. The pH was increased to 12 by adding NaOH. 1.5 mL of 10% HCl was added over 15 minutes to reduce the pH of the solution to pH 4. Crystals were obtained.

Example 3: Preparation of Amorphous Mesosulfuron-Methyl in Accordance with the Disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,315 N1-tert-Butyl-5-bromomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide (Example A1 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,315)

A solution of 54.8 g (192 mmol) of N-tert-butyl-2-methoxycarbonyl-5-methylbenzenesulfonamide in 420 ml tetrachloromethane was heated at reflux for 6-8 hours under a nitrogen protective-gas atmosphere, following addition of 36 g (202 mmol) N-bromosuccinimide and 0.5 g azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) with simultaneous irradiation with a daylight lamp. The solution was then filtered and then washed in succession with sodium disulphide solution, sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and water, dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure Crystallization of the residue from diisopropyl ether/ethyl acetate yielded 41.9 g (57%) of N-tert-butyl-5-bromomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide having melting point of 88° C.-90° C.

N-tert-Butyl-5-azidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide (Example A2 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,315)

A solution of 25.5 g (70 mmol) N-tert-butyl-5-bromomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide and 5.9 g (90 mmol) sodium azide in 240 ml of ethanol was heated at reflux for 6 hours. The solution was then evaporated to dryness and the residue was extracted with water/ethyl acetate. Digestion of the crude product with diisopropyl ether gave 16.6 g (72.5%) of N-tert-butyl-5-azidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide having melting point of 63° C.-65° C.

N-tert-Butyl-5-aminomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide (Example A3 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,315)

16.3 g (50 mmol) N-tert-butyl-5-azidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonyl benzenesulfonamide were dissolved in 300 ml of methanol and hydrogenated over Pd/C (5%). The mixture was filtered and evaporated to dryness. The crude product obtained was purified by elution through a silica gel column using ethyl acetate/methanol 4:1. 11.2 g (74%) of N-tert-butyl-5-aminomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide were obtained as a viscous oil.

N-tert-Butyl-5-acetamidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide (Example A4 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,3151

0.63 g (8 mmol) of acetyl chloride dissolved in 10 ml of dichloromethane was added dropwise to a solution, cooled to 0° C., of 2.01 g (6.7 mmol) of N-tert-butyl-5-aminomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide and 0.93 ml (6.7 mmol) of triethylamine in 30 ml of dichloromethane, and the mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction solution was washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. 2.1 g (91%) of N-tertbutyl-5-acetamidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide are obtained as a viscous oil.

5-Acetamidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonylbenzenesulfonamide (Example A5 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,315)

A solution of 2.09 g (6.1 mmol) of N-tert-butyl-5-acetamidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonyl benzenesulfonamide in 25 ml of trifluoroacetic acid was stirred at room temperature for 14 hours and then evaporated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from ethyl acetate yielded 1.33 g (76%) of 5-acetamidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonyl benzenesulfonamide of melting point of 173° C.-175° C.

Methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate (Example A6 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,315)

0.69 g (4.54 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) was added at 0° C. to a suspension of 1.3 g (4.54 mmol) of 5-acetamidomethyl-2-methoxycarbonyl benzenesulfonamide and 1.25 g (4.54 mmol) of N-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-yl)phenylcarbamate in 20 ml of acetonitrile. After 2 hours at room temperature, the mixture was diluted with water and diethyl ether, acidified to pH 1-2 with hydrochloric acid, and the resulting precipitate was filtered off and dried. 1.32 g (62%) of methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate having melting point of 149° C.-150° C. were obtained.

As shown in FIG. 4, the X-ray powder diffraction pattern of the resulting mesosulfuron-methyl products prepared above has no significant signals, which indicates the mesosulfuron-methyl product prepared in accordance with the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,315 is amorphous.

Example 4: Preparation of the Crystalline Modification I of Mesosulfuron-Methyl

Crystallization from 1,1-Dichloroethane

10 ml 1,1-dichloroethane was charged into the reactor to dissolve crude, amorphous mesosulfuron-methyl prepared in Example 3 under stirring. This process lasted for 2 hours under room temperature, and white solid precipitate appeared. The mixture was then cooled down to 0° C.-5° C. and maintained at this temperature for 1 hour to allow complete crystallization. After that, the mixture was centrifuged. The filter cake was washed with 1,1-dichloroethane. The resulting solid was dried under high vacuum to give crystals of pure mesosulfuron-methyl technical (Purity: 98%).

The crystals were characterized as being of the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl using DSC, IR spectrometry and X-ray powder diffraction.

The IR spectrum of the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl is set out in FIG. 1. The IR spectrum exhibits characteristic peaks at 3246.88, 2958.83, 1741.75 and 1712.06 cm⁻¹.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) (FIG. 3) shows an endothermic melting peak with onset at 188.8° C. and peak maximum at about 192.9° C. in FIG. 3.

The crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl has the X-ray powder diffractogram shown in FIG. 2 with the reflexes listed in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Crystalline modification I 2 θ (°) d (Å)  5.41 ± 0.2 16.35 ± 0.05  10.26 ± 0.2 8.62 ± 0.05 10.88 ± 0.2 8.13 ± 0.05 12.14 ± 0.2 7.29 ± 0.05 16.38 ± 0.2 5.41 ± 0.05 18.87 ± 0.2 4.70 ± 0.05 19.47 ± 0.2 4.56 ± 0.05 20.82 ± 0.2 4.27 ± 0.05 21.88 ± 0.2 4.06 ± 0.05 22.55 ± 0.2 3.94 ± 0.05 22.96 ± 0.2 3.87 ± 0.05 23.22 ± 0.2 3.83 ± 0.05 24.10 ± 0.2 3.69 ± 0.05 24.50 ± 0.2 3.63 ± 0.05 26.35 ± 0.2 3.38 ± 0.05

Example 5: Preparation of the Crystalline Modification I of Mesosulfuron-Methyl

Crystallization from Ethanol

10 ml ethanol was charged into the reactor to dissolve crude, amorphous mesosulfuron-methyl prepared in Example 3 under stirring. This process lasted for 2 hours under room temperature, and white solid precipitate appeared. The mixture was then cooled down to 0° C.-5° C. and maintained at this temperature for 1 hour to allow complete crystallization. After that, the mixture was centrifuged. The filter cake was washed with some ethanol. The resulting solid was dried under high vacuum to give crystals of pure mesosulfuron-methyl technical (Purity: 98%).

The crystals were characterized as being the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl using IR spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction and DSC as described in Example 4.

Formulation Examples

Water-dispersible granule (WG) was prepared by mixing and milling of active ingredients and auxiliaries (0.5% SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate, Witco Inc., Greenwich), 5% REAX®88B (sodium lignosulfonate, Westvaco Corp), Potassium carbonate (balance to 100%)) under compressed air, then wetting, extruding and drying to obtain water-dispersible granule.

For example,

The crystalline modification I of mesotrione 50% The crystalline modification I of 10% mesosulfuron-methyl SUPRALATE^( ®) (sodium lauryl sulfate, 0.5%  Witco Inc., Greenwich) REAX^( ®)88B (sodium lignosulfonate,  5% Westvaco Corp) Potassium carbonate Balance to 100%

Aqueous suspension concentrates (SC) were prepared by mixing finely ground active ingredients with auxiliaries (10% Propylene glycol, 5% Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates, 1% Sodium lignosulfonate, 1% Carboxymethylcellulose, 1% Silicone oil (in the form of a 75% emulsion in water), 0.1% Xanthan gum, 0.1% NIPACIDE BIT 20, Water (Balance to 1 L).

For example,

The crystalline modification I of mesotrione 40%  The crystalline modification I of 4% mesosulfuron-methyl Propylene glycol 10%  Tristyrylphenol ethoxylates 5% Sodium lignosulfonate 1% Carboxymethylcellulose 1% Silicone oil (in the form of a 75% emulsion in water) 1% Xanthan gum 0.1%   NIPACIDE BIT 20 0.1%   Water Balance to 100%

Water-soluble granules (SG) was prepared by mixing and milling of active ingredients and auxiliaries (0.5% SUPRALATE® (sodium lauryl sulfate, Witco Inc., Greenwich), 5% REAX®88B (sodium lignosulfonate, Westvaco Corp), 2% Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃), Potassium sulfate (balance to 100%)) under compressed air, then wetting, extruding and drying to obtain water-soluble granules.

For example,

The crystalline modification I of mesotrione 30%  The crystalline modification I of 2% mesosulfuron-methyl SUPRALATE^( ®) (sodium lauryl sulfate, 0.5%   Witco Inc., Greenwich) REAX^( ®) 88B (sodium lignosulfonate, 5% Westvaco Corp) Sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃) 2% Potassium sulfate Balance to 100%

Formulations were prepared according to the method above (Table A):

TABLE A Mesotrione (%) Mesosulfuron-methyl (%) No. Formulation type I II Amorphous I 1 SC 40 / / / 2 SC / 40 / / 3 WG / / 60  / 4 WG / / / 60 5 SC 40 / 4 / 6 SC / 40 4 / 7 SC 40 / / 4 8 SC / 40 / 4 9 SC 40 / / 4 10 WG 50 / / 10 11 SC 40 / / 8 12 SG 30 / / 2 13 WG 60 / / 6 14 SC 20 / / 20 15 SG 10 / / 30

Biological Examples 1

A synergistic effect exists with a combination of two active compounds when the activity of a composition comprising both active compounds is greater than the sum of the activities of the two active compounds applied individually. The expected activity for a given combination of two active compounds can be calculated by the so called “Colby equation” (see S. R. Colby, “Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 1967, 15, 20-22):

whereby:

A=the efficiency % of compound A when active compound A is employed at an application rate of m g/ha;

B=the efficiency % of compound B when active compound B is employed at an application rate of n g/ha;

E=the efficiency % of estimated activity when compounds A and B are employed together at an application rate of m g/ha and n g/ha;

then:

E=A+B−(A×B/100).

If the actual activity observed for the combination of compounds A and B is greater than that calculated, then the activity of the combination is superadditive. In other words, synergism is present.

Wheat and corn and sorghum plants were sown side by side in the field. Different types of weeds and their relative density were recorded and are listed in Table 1 below. Formulations of Examples 1 to 8 above were applied 50 days after planting. After application, the beds were maintained for about 2 weeks. Two weeks after application, the beds were examined to determine the efficiency of the treatment. The results are set forth below in Table 2 below.

TABLE 1 Type of weed Type of weed Relative density (%) Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) 25 Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) 15 Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) 10 Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) 10 Morningglory, ivyleaf (Ipomoea hederacea) 15 Barley grass (Hordeum leporinum); 25

TABLE 2 Efficiency (%) Efficiency (%) Type of weed Formulation Mesotrione Mesosulfuron-methyl Redroot Common Shepherd's Morningglory, Barley Examples (g/ha) (g/ha) pigweed Cocklebur ragweed Purse ivyleaf grass Untreated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Example 1 100 0 40 25 25 35 40 35 Example 2 100 0 40 25 30 35 45 35 Example 3 0 10 35 20 20 30 35 45 Example 4 0 10 30 20 20 35 35 50 Example 5 100 10 55 35 35 40 50 45 Example 6 100 10 35 30 35 35 40 35 Example 7 100 10 95 90 95 90 100 95 Example 8 100 10 45 40 40 45 50 55

Biological Examples 2

Asparagus, cranberry and blueberry plants were sown side by side in the field. Different types of weeds and their relative density were recorded and are listed in Table 3 below. Formulations of Examples 9 to 15 above were applied 50 days after planting. After application, the beds were maintained for about 2 weeks. Two weeks after application, the beds were examined to determine the efficiency of the treatment. The results are set forth below in Table 4 below.

TABLE 3 Type of weed Type of weed Relative density (%) Toad rush (Juncus bufonlus) 5 Cinquefoil (Potentilla spp.) 5 Great ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) 15 Vetch (Vicia spp.) 15 Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) 10 Nightshade, black (Solanum nigrum) 15 Sedges (Carex spp.) 5 Canada Rush (Juncus Canadensis) 10 Soft rush (Juncus effuses) 5 Slender rush (Juncus tenuis) 5 Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) 10

TABLE 4 Efficiency (%) Efficiency (%) Type of weed Formulation Mesotrione Mesosulfuron- Toad Great Wild Nightshade, Canada Soft Slender Creeping Examples (g/ha) methyl (g/ha) rush Cinquefoil ragweed Vetch mustard black Sedges Rush rush rush buttercup Untreated 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Example 9 100 10 100 95 90 95 95 100 90 95 100 100 100 Example 10 125 25 100 95 90 90 95 100 95 90 100 95 95 Example 11 100 20 95 95 95 90 90 100 90 95 100 100 95 Example 12 75 5 95 95 90 90 95 95 90 95 95 100 90 Example 13 150 15 100 95 95 90 90 95 90 100 95 100 100 Example 14 50 50 95 90 90 95 95 95 90 95 95 95 95 Example 15 25 75 90 90 90 95 95 90 95 95 90 95 90 

1. A composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of (A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione); and (B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate (mesosulfuron-methyl), wherein the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl is crystallized using 1,1-dichloroethane and/or ethanol, and the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl exhibits each of the following reflexes as 20 values in an X-ray powder diffractogram recorded using Cu-Kα radiation at 25° C.: 2θ=5.41±0.2  (1) 2θ=10.26±0.2  (2) 2θ=10.88±0.2  (3) 2θ=12.14±0.2  (4) 2θ=16.38±0.2  (5) 2θ=18.87±0.2  (6) 2θ=19.47±0.2  (7) 2θ=20.82±0.2  (8) 2θ=21.88±0.2  (9) 2θ=22.55±0.2  (10) 2θ=22.96±0.2  (11) 2θ=23.22±0.2  (12) 2θ=24.10±0.2  (13) 2θ=24.50±0.2  (14) 2θ=26.35±0.2  (15).
 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of (A) to (B) is in the range of from about 150:1 to about 1:50.
 3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the weight ratio of (A) to (B) is in the range of from about 50:1 to about 1:10.
 4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the weight ratio of (A) to (B) is 10:1.
 5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the total amount of (A) and (B) is from 5% to 99% by weight of the composition.
 6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the composition comprises, by weight, from about 1% to about 90% of (A) and from about 0.1% to about 90% of (B).
 7. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the composition comprises, by weight, from about 1% to about 70% of (A) and from about 1% to about 60% of (B).
 8. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising one or more auxiliaries selected from the group consisting of extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickening agents, solid adherents, fillers, wetting agents, dispersing agents, lubricants, anticaking agents and diluents.
 9. The composition according to claim 1, formulated as a water-soluble concentrate (SL), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an emulsion, oil in water (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), a suspension concentrate (SC), an oil-based suspension concentrate (OD), a flowable suspension (FS), a water-dispersible granule (WG), a water-soluble granule (SG), a wettable powder (WP), a water soluble powder (SP), a granule (GR), an encapsulated granule (CG), a fine granule (FG), a macrogranule (GG), an aqueous suspo-emulsion (SE), a capsule suspension (CS) or a microgranule (MG).
 10. (canceled)
 11. A method of controlling undesirable plant growth comprising applying to the plant or to the locus thereof a herbicidally effective amount of the herbicidal composition of claim
 1. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the plant growth is being controlled in a crop comprising cereals, fruits and vegetables.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the plant growth being controlled is one or more of broadleaf weeds, grasses and sedges.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the plant growth being controlled is one or more of Amaranthus spp., Capsella spp., Ipomoea spp., Sinapis spp., Solanum spp., Ambrosia spp., Carex spp., Juncus spp., Potentilla spp., Ranunculus spp., Vicia spp., Xanthium spp, and Hordeum spp.
 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the composition is applied at an application rate of about 0.005 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha) to about 5.0 kg/ha of the total amount of active ingredient (A) and (B).
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the composition is applied at an application rate of from 0.01 kg/ha to 3.0 kg/ha of the total amount of active ingredient (A) and (B).
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the composition is applied at an application rate of from 1 to 1000 g/ha of (A) and from 0.1 to 250 g/ha of (B).
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the composition is applied at an application rate of from 1 to 200 g/ha of (A) and 1 to 75 g/ha of (B).
 19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the composition is applied pre-planting, pre-emergence and/or post-emergence.
 20. A method of controlling undesirable plant growth at a locus comprising applying to the locus herbicidally effective amounts of (A) the crystalline modification I of 2-(4-mesyl-2-nitrobenzoyl)cyclohexane-1,3-dione (mesotrione) and (B) the crystalline modification I of methyl 2-[(4,6-dimethoxypyrimidin-2-ylcarbamoyl)sulfamoyl]-α-(methanesulfonamido)-p-toluate (mesosulfuron-methyl), wherein the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl is crystallized using 1,1-dichloroethane and/or ethanol, and the crystalline modification I of mesosulfuron-methyl exhibits each of the following reflexes as 20 values in an X-ray powder diffractogram recorded using Cu-Kα radiation at 25° C.: 2θ=5.41±0.2  (1) 2θ=10.26±0.2  (2) 2θ=10.88±0.2  (3) 2θ=12.14±0.2  (4) 2θ=16.38±0.2  (5) 2θ=18.87±0.2  (6) 2θ=19.47±0.2  (7) 2θ=20.82±0.2  (8) 2θ=21.88±0.2  (9) 2θ=22.55±0.2  (10) 2θ=22.96±0.2  (11) 2θ=23.22±0.2  (12) 2θ=24.10±0.2  (13) 2θ=24.50±0.2  (14) 2θ=26.35±0.2  (15).
 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the plant growth is being controlled in a crop comprising cereals, fruits and vegetables.
 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein (A) and (B) are applied to the locus at the same time.
 23. The method according to claim 20, wherein (A) and (B) are applied to the locus consecutively.
 24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the plant growth being controlled is one or more of broadleaf weeds, grasses and sedges.
 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the plant growth being controlled is one or more of Amaranthus spp., Capsella spp., Ipomoea spp., Sinapis spp., Solanum spp., Ambrosia spp., Carex spp., Juncus spp., Potentilla spp., Ranunculus spp., Vicia spp., Xanthium spp and Hordeum spp.
 26. The method according to claim 20, wherein the weight ratio of (A) to (B) applied is in the range of from about 150:1 to about 1:50.
 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the weight ratio of (A) to (B) applied is in the range of from about 50:1 to about 1:10.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the weight ratio of (A) to (B) applied is 10:1.
 29. The method according to claim 20, wherein (A) and (B) are applied at an application rate of 0.005 kilograms/hectare (kg/ha) to about 5.0 kg/ha of the total amount of active ingredient (A) and (B).
 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein (A) and (B) are applied at an application rate of from about 0.01 kg/ha to about 3.0 kg/ha of the total amount of active ingredient (A) and (B).
 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein (A) and (B) are applied at an application rate of from 1 to 1000 g/ha of (A) and from 0.1 to 250 g/ha of (B).
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein (A) and (B) are applied at an application rate of from 1 to 200 g/ha of (A) and 1 to 75 g/ha of (B).
 33. The method according to claim 20, wherein (A) and (B) are applied pre-planting, pre-emergence and/or post-emergence.
 34. (canceled)
 35. (canceled) 